Polyester yarn is derived from xylene, a hydrocarbon produced during the cracking of crude oil. Xylene is then mixed with nitric acid to become PTA. The PTA is then mixed with ethylene glycol in a reaction chamber to produce polyester. This process produces long molecules that are further stretched and spun into polyester threads.
This process of molecular stretching and alignment is what gives polyester fabric threads their elasticity and strength. Therefore, polyester will not lose its shape over time and is not as strong as cotton. Plus, because it's synthetic, it's also more resistant to mildew, abrasion, and sun damage. That's why polyester is the go-to fabric for fabrics that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
This is because polyester is stretchy and flexible. The long polymer molecules allow them to be stretched easily and return to their original shape after stretching. This makes it ideal for fabrics that require a lot of movement, whether stretchy or pliable.
Another reason polyester is often chosen for activewear is that it dries quickly, unlike cotton. Cotton has a tendency to absorb moisture (sweat), which does not evaporate quickly. Polyester, on the other hand, is somewhat water-repellent, so it won't get wet; instead, it will wick moisture away from the skin and allow it to evaporate quickly. On the 100% polyester blend, water beads up on the surface instead of being soaked.
There is hardly any other material in the world as versatile as polyester thread. Polyester is used not only for fabrics, but also for water bottles, power belts, rope, tire cords, boat sails, and even floppy disks. This makes polyester thread the perfect choice for a variety of applications. For example, polyester yarns are used in car tires, sportswear, wire insulation, sails, and more.